Exercise rankings differed across balance and mobility tests in older adults
A review found improvements in balance-related tests among healthy older adults. Different exercise formats ranked highest for different outcomes, but the abstract does not quantify the improvements.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review reported that exercise improved balance scores, walking speed, standing balance and timed mobility in healthy older adults. However, the highest-ranked exercise format depended on the test. These results describe measured performance; the abstract does not establish how much daily functioning changed, whether improvements lasted or whether falls became less frequent.
The abstract reports significance and rankings without effect sizes or confidence intervals for improvements. Falls were not reported as an outcome, and intervention durations were not provided.
Different tests produced different leaders
Exercise games ranked highest for the Berg Balance Scale, while comprehensive training led for walking speed. Otago ranked highest for standing on one leg with eyes open, and Wii Fit led for the timed mobility test.
Rankings do not measure improvement size
The analysis used a statistical ranking method to order exercise formats for each outcome. A high position describes a format's relative ranking in that analysis, but does not tell readers how much an individual participant improved.
The original publication
Effects of different exercise modalities on balance performance in healthy older adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Zhang S, Qian G, Xu H et al.
BMC Geriatr · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40745584
- Record checked
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